Medical X-ray apparatus

ABSTRACT

To a supporting frame having an opening portion used to insert a table for mounting thereon an object under examination along a horizontal direction, a rotary member rotated around the opening portion is mounted; and a medical X-ray apparatus is provided with a first supporting member supported by the rotation member, for supporting an X-ray tube apparatus which irradiates an X-ray to an object under examination; a second supporting member for supporting a detection apparatus for detecting a transmission X-ray of the object under examination, the second supporting member being supported by the rotary member and being arranged opposite to the X-ray tube apparatus; a rotation control apparatus for controlling a rotation of the rotary member; a control apparatus for setting an irradiation angle of said X-ray with respect to a body axial direction of the object under examination to an arbitrary irradiation angle, and also for arranging the detection apparatus opposite to the X-ray tube apparatus in correspondence with the set arbitrary irradiation angle; and an image processing apparatus for processing an output signal from the detection apparatus so as to produce both a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image. While these control apparatus and rotation control apparatus are controlled, both the X-ray tube apparatus and the detection apparatus are rotated around the object under examination. Alternatively, X-ray fluoroscopic operation is carried out along an arbitrary irradiation angle. An output signal derived from the detection apparatus is processed by an image processing apparatus so as to produce a two-dimensional image and/or a three-dimensional image. Then, the produced images are displayed on a display apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention is related to a Patent Application entitled“RADIOGRAPHY APPARATUS”, U.S. application Ser. No. 09/425,300, filed onOct. 25, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,892 B1.

This U.S. patent application corresponds to Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. Hei-10-306238 filed on Oct. 28, 1998 in Japan. The disclosures ofthe above-described U.S. patent application are hereby incorporated intothe present patent application by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates a medical X-ray apparatus. Morespecifically, the present invention is related to a medical X-rayapparatus having a function capable of acquiring both a two-dimensionalimage and a three-dimensional image by using one set of apparatus. Thismedical X-ray apparatus is suitable for a so-called “IVR (InterventionalRadiology)” medical curing method with employment of an angiography andan X-ray diagnostic apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Medical X-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus such as X-ray fluoroscopicimaging tables and circulatory X-ray checking apparatus are necessarilyrequired in diagnostic fields. Recently, these medical X-rayfluoroscopic imaging apparatus may be utilized not only in diagnosticpurposes, but also in curing purposes. This curing operation may becarried out in such a manner that while observing X-ray fluoroscopicimages, catheters equipped with various instruments at tip portionsthereof are inserted into blood vessels and organs of objects undermedical examination. This medical X-ray apparatus is capable of havingsuch great merits of giving small pain to the objects under examination,as well as of executing low-cost curing operations with respect to suchconventional curing operations in which celiotomy should be performed.As a consequence, very recently, this sort of medical X-ray apparatusare rapidly popularized. Such a curing method is referred to as an “IVR(Interventional Radiology).”

When this IVR method is carried, an operator confirms both a relativeposition of a portion to be cured and a shape thereof by using athree-dimensional X-ray image of this curing portion prior to anoperation of this curing portion. Next, while the operator confirms aposition of a curing instrument mounted on a tip portion of a catheterby way of a two-dimensional X-ray fluoroscopic image, the operator mayperform this IVR method.

With respect to such an IVR method, conventionally, such an X-rayapparatus called as an X-ray rotation three-dimensional imagingapparatus is employed so as to execute this IVR method. For example, theX-ray rotation three-dimensional imaging apparatus is described inJP-A-6-327663, and is provided with the imaging system which is arrangedby the X-ray source for irradiating the cone beam-shaped X-ray, theX-ray image intensifier (will be referred to as an “X-ray I.I.”hereinafter), and the television camera.

In this X-ray rotation three-dimensional imaging apparatus, since theobject under examination is required to be installed in the cavityportion provided in the gantry having the large volume, the accesses tothe object under examination by the operator along the omnidirection arerestricted. As a result, it is not possible to secure a sufficientlylarge work space where the operator may perform the curing operations inthe smooth manner.

Also, although this X-ray rotation three-dimensional imaging apparatuscan perform the two-dimensional X-ray fluoroscopic imaging operation,the fluoroscopic direction is limited only to the directionperpendicular to the body axis of the object under examination. However,this X-ray rotation three-dimensional imaging apparatus cannot performthe two-dimensional X-ray fluoroscopic imaging operation along such anomnidirection as a direction oblique to the body axis, which is requiredin the IVR method.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In an IVR method, while both a position of a curing portion and a shapethereof of an object under medical examination are grasped by way of athree-dimensional image, this grasped curing portion is cured byobserving two-dimensional fluoroscopic images acquired along anomnidirection.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a medicalX-ray apparatus capable of varying a fluoroscopic angle with respect toa body axial direction of an object under medical examination, andcapable of acquiring both a three-dimensional image and atwo-dimensional image by the same apparatus, and further suitable for anIVR method.

The above-described object may be achieved by providing: a supportingmember having an opening portion used to insert a table for mounting anobject under examination along a body axial direction of the objectunder examination; a rotation member supported by the supporting memberand rotated around the opening portion; a rotation control apparatus forcontrolling a rotation of the rotary member; a first supporting membersupported by the rotation member, for supporting an X-ray tube apparatuswhich irradiates an X-ray to an object under examination; a secondsupporting member for supporting a detection apparatus for detecting atransmission X-ray of the object under examination, the secondsupporting member being supported by the rotary member and beingarranged opposite to the X-ray tube apparatus; an image processingapparatus for processing an output signal from the detection apparatusso as to produce both a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensionalimage; a display apparatus for displaying the image produced by theimage processing apparatus; and a control apparatus for setting anirradiation angle of the X-ray with respect to a body axial direction ofthe object under examination to an arbitrary irradiation angle, and alsofor arranging the detection apparatus opposite to the X-ray tubeapparatus in correspondence with the set arbitrary irradiation angle.The control apparatus is arranged by an X-ray tube apparatus controlapparatus for transporting the X-ray tube apparatus to an arbitraryposition on the first supporting member so as to arbitrarily set anirradiation angle of an X-ray with respect to the body axial directionof the object under examination; and a detection apparatus controlapparatus for controlling that the angle of the detection apparatus islocated opposite to the X-ray tube apparatus in response to theirradiation angle set by the X-ray tube control apparatus. The X-raytube apparatus control apparatus is arranged by an X-ray tube apparatustransporting apparatus for transporting the X-ray tube apparatus to anarbitrary position on the first supporting member; and an irradiationangle control apparatus for arbitrarily setting the irradiation angle ofthe X-ray tube apparatus at the arbitrary transported position. Thedetection apparatus control apparatus is arranged by a detectionapparatus transporting apparatus for transporting the detectionapparatus to an arbitrary position on the second supporting member; andan opposite-arrangement control apparatus for arranging the detectionapparatus opposite to the X-ray tube apparatus at this transportedposition at the irradiation angle.

Both the X-ray tube apparatus control apparatus and the detectionapparatus control apparatus are arranged by, for example, thebelow-mentioned items (1) and (2):

(1) The shape of the first supporting member for supporting the X-raytube and the shape of the second supporting member for the detectionapparatus are formed in arc shapes in order that both the X-ray tubeapparatus and the detection apparatus may maintain the oppositepositional relationship at any positions on the first supporting memberand the second supporting member. Furthermore, such an apparatus isprovided by which both the X-ray tube apparatus and the detectionapparatus can be transported to any arbitrary positions on the firstsupporting member and the second supporting member.

(2) Both the first supporting member and the second supporting memberare formed in straight-line shapes. Furthermore, there are provided: anapparatus capable of transporting both the X-ray tube apparatus and thedetection apparatus to arbitrary positions on the first supportingmember and the second supporting member; and also another apparatuscapable of changing both the X-ray irradiation direction from the X-raytube apparatus and the detection direction of the detection apparatusopposite to this irradiation direction in order that the X-ray tubeapparatus and the detection apparatus can establish the oppositepositional relationship between them at the transported positions by thetransporting apparatus.

With employment of such an arrangement, the irradiation angle of theX-ray with respect to the body axial direction of the object underexamination can be arbitrarily set, and also, the X-ray image receivingapparatus is arranged opposite to this set irradiation angle. As aconsequence, the X-ray fluoroscopic imaging operations can be carriedout along the omnidirection with respect to the body axial direction ofthe object under examination. Also, the IVR method can be carried outbased upon the above-described three-dimensional image with reference tothe two-dimensional fluoroscopic images acquired along theomnidirection. As a result, the positional information and also theshape information as to the blood vessels mixed with each other in thecomplex manner and the organs can become rich, so that operabilities ofthe diagnostic operations and of the curing operations can be improved.

Also, the above-described object of the present invention may beachieved by comprising: a rotary member rotatably supported by asupporting frame; a rotation control apparatus for controlling arotation of the rotary member; a first supporting member supported bythe rotation member, for supporting an X-ray tube apparatus whichirradiates an X-ray to an object under examination; a second supportingmember for supporting a detection apparatus for detecting a transmissionX-ray of the object under examination, the second supporting memberbeing supported by the rotary member and being arranged opposite to theX-ray tube apparatus; a control apparatus for setting an irradiationangle of the X-ray with respect to a body axial direction of the objectunder examination to an arbitrary irradiation angle, and also forarranging the detection apparatus opposite to the X-ray tube apparatusin correspondence with the set arbitrary irradiation angle; an imageprocessing apparatus for processing an output signal from the detectionapparatus so as to produce both a two-dimensional image and athree-dimensional image; and a display apparatus for displaying theimage produced by the image processing apparatus.

The control apparatus is arranged by an X-ray tube apparatus controlapparatus for transporting the X-ray tube apparatus to an arbitraryposition on the first supporting member so as to arbitrarily set anirradiation angle of an X-ray with respect to the body axial directionof the object under examination; and a detection apparatus controlapparatus for controlling that the angle of the detection apparatus islocated opposite to the X-ray tube apparatus in response to theirradiation angle set by the X-ray tube control apparatus. The X-raytube apparatus control apparatus is arranged by an X-ray tube apparatustransporting apparatus for transporting the X-ray tube apparatus to anarbitrary position on the first supporting member; and an irradiationangle control apparatus for arbitrarily setting the irradiation angle ofthe X-ray tube apparatus at the arbitrary transported position. Thedetection apparatus control apparatus is arranged by a detectionapparatus transporting apparatus for transporting the detectionapparatus to an arbitrary position on the second supporting member; andan opposite-arrangement control apparatus for arranging the detectionapparatus opposite to the X-ray tube apparatus at this transportedposition at the irradiation angle.

Both the X-ray tube apparatus control apparatus and the detectionapparatus control apparatus are arranged by, for example, thebelow-mentioned items (3) and (4):

(3) The shape of the first supporting member and the shape of the secondsupporting member are formed in arc shapes in order that both the X-raytube apparatus and the detection apparatus may maintain the oppositepositional relationship at any positions on the first supporting memberand the second supporting member. Furthermore, such an apparatus isprovided by which both the X-ray tube apparatus and the detectionapparatus can be transported to any arbitrary positions on the firstsupporting member and the second supporting member.

(4) Both the first supporting member and the second supporting memberare formed in straight-line shapes. Furthermore, there are provided: anapparatus capable of transporting both the X-ray tube apparatus and thedetection apparatus to arbitrary positions on the first supportingmember and the second supporting member; and also another apparatuscapable of changing both the X-ray irradiation direction from the X-raytube apparatus and the detection direction of the detection apparatusopposite to this irradiation direction in order that the X-ray tubeapparatus and the detection apparatus can establish the oppositepositional relationship between them at the transported positions by thetransporting apparatus.

When the medical X-ray apparatus is arranged by employing theabove-explained arrangement, the lengths of the first and secondsupporting members are made longer than those of such a case that theopening portion is formed on the supporting frame and the rotary member.This opening portion is used to insert the object under examination. Asa result, this medical X-ray apparatus can accept the entire portion ofthis object under examination without moving the object underexamination.

With employment of the above-explained arrangement, the X-rayfluoroscopic angle with respect to the body axial direction of theobject under examination can also be varied, so that both thetwo-dimensional image and the three-dimensional images can be acquiredby using the same apparatus along the multiple directions involving thisfluoroscopic direction.

As a consequence, these two-dimensional images and three-dimensionalimages are displayed on either the same display apparatus or theseparate display apparatus at the same time. While the operator observesthese images, the operator can effectively perform both the diagnosticoperation and the curing operation.

As previously described, in accordance with the present invention, whileboth the three-dimensional image and the two-dimensional image areproduced by the same apparatus, the fluoroscopic imaging operation iscarried out at an arbitrary angle with respect to the body axialdirection of the object under examination based upon the positionalinformation and the shape information as to the diagnostic portion andthe curing portion of the object under examination with respect to thebody axial direction of the object under examination. While referring tothe two-dimensional fluoroscopic images acquired along theomnidirection, the operator can carry out the IVR method. As aconsequence, such a medical X-ray apparatus can be provided which cancontribute the improvements in the diagnostic operations and also thecuring operations, since the positional information and the shapeinformation as to the blood vessels mixed with each other in the complexmanner and the organs can become rich.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for showing an arrangement of a medicalX-ray apparatus according to an embodiment mode 1 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are diagrams for representing a sliding transportmechanism for an X-ray tube and an X-ray image receiving apparatusaccording to the embodiment mode 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a control apparatus according to theembodiment mode 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for showing an arrangement of a medicalX-ray apparatus according to an embodiment mode 2 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are diagrams for representing a sliding transportmechanism for an X-ray tube and an X-ray image receiving apparatusaccording to the embodiment mode 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a control apparatus according to theembodiment mode 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for showing a construction of a medicalX-ray apparatus according to an embodiment mode 3 of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for showing a construction of a medicalX-ray apparatus according to an embodiment mode 4 of the presentinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As a measure capable of solving the problem owned by the above-describedX-ray rotary three-dimensional imaging apparatus, such an X-rayapparatus has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application No.Hei-10-306238 filed on Oct. 28, 1998. That is, while both athree-dimensional image of an object under medical examination and atwo-dimensional image made by an X-ray fluoroscopy are produced by thesame X-ray apparatus, this X-ray apparatus is capable of performing bothan X-ray diagnosis and an X-ray curing method. This apparatus isprovided with the apparatus capable of rotating the X-ray tube and theimage receiving apparatus, while the X-ray tube corresponding to theX-ray source is mounted on one end of the supporting member, and theimage receiving apparatus is mounted on the other end thereof. ThisX-ray apparatus forms a space at the rotation center portion, and iscapable of acquiring the X-ray fluoroscopic data of the object underexamination along the omnidirection. This X-ray apparatus is equippedwith the X-ray image producing apparatus capable of producing not onlythe two-dimensional fluoroscopic image of the object under medicalexamination, but also the three-dimensional image thereof. Thisthree-dimensional image corresponds to such a three-dimensional image ofan arbitrary tomographic plane, and will be referred to as a “cone-beamCT image” hereinafter.

This X-ray apparatus forms the space in which the object underexamination is relatively moved in the rotation center portion of therotating apparatus for supporting the imaging system, and can transportthe imaging area of the imaging system from the head portion up to thefoot portion by merely horizontally transporting the object underexamination in parallel to the rotation center axis of theabove-explained rotating apparatus, or by merely transporting therotating apparatus along the horizontal direction. As a result, thisX-ray apparatus acquires the X-ray fluoroscopic data at an arbitraryposition along the omnidirection, and then, enters this acquired X-rayfluoroscopic data into the X-ray image producing apparatus, so that thethree-dimensional image of the imaging portion can be obtained byexecuting the well-known reconstruction calculation. Also, as to thetwo-dimensional image, when the fluoroscopic direction of the curingportion is determined based upon the above-explained three-dimensionalimage, the rotation position of the supporting member is fixed on theposition of this fluoroscopic direction, and the X-ray fluoroscopicoperation is carried out along the direction determined at this rotationposition to acquire the two-dimensional image.

The position and the shape of the curing position of the object underexamination is grasped based upon the three-dimensional image by way ofsuch an X-ray apparatus. While the two-dimensional image is observed,the curing operation is carried out based upon this position and shape.This curing result is confirmed by producing the three-dimensional imageby way of the above-explained method without moving the object underexamination at this place.

However, the X-ray apparatus which has been proposed in Japanese PatentApplication No. Hei-10-306238 can perform the X-ray fluoroscopicoperation along an arbitrary angle direction (namely, directionperpendicular to body axis of object under examination) on the rotationcenter. However, the X-ray apparatus cannot be slide-transported alongthe direction (namely, body-axial direction of object) horizontallylocated with respect to the supporting member.

As a result, since the X-ray apparatus is inclined with respect to thebody-axial direction of the object under examination and cannot performthe X-ray fluoroscopic operation along this inclined direction, thisX-ray apparatus cannot observe the curing portion along thesedirections. There is such a problem that the curing range by way of theIVR is limited. In other words, since the X-ray apparatus does not ownsuch a function that while both the X-ray source and the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus are inclined along the body-axial direction of theobject under examination so as to position these X-ray source and X-rayimage receiving apparatus in an opposite manner to each other, there arecertain opportunities that the blood vessels and the like cannot bedrawn along the above-explained fluoroscopic direction.

Therefore, while the present invention has been made to solve theabove-described problem, the present invention is directed to providesuch a medical X-ray apparatus suitable for the IVR, by which both athree-dimensional image and a two-dimensional image of an object underexamination can be acquired by the same apparatus, while an X-rayfluoroscopic angle with respect to a body-axial direction of the objectunder examination is variable.

Referring now to drawings, a detailed description is made of the presentinvention in conjunction with embodiment modes (embodiments) of thepresent invention. It should be understood that in all of drawings usedto explain the embodiment modes of the present invention, the samereference numerals will be employed as those for denoting the samefunctions, and therefore, descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a medical X-ray apparatus according toan embodiment mode 1 of the present invention.

First, a description is made of the construction of the medical X-rayapparatus according to the embodiment mode 1 of the present inventionwith reference to FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 shows an arc-shaped arm. The arc-shapedarm 1 supports an X-ray tube 2 for irradiating an X-ray to an object 201under medical examination present on a table 202, and is fixed on arotary plate 7 having an opening portion 17 into which the object underexamination may be inserted. The X-ray tube 2 is arranged in such amanner that this X-ray tube 2 may be transported by a curved-line guideunit 3 over the arm 1 within a curvature plane where an iso-center “Z”is located as a center thereof.

Reference numeral 4 shows an arc-shaped arm fixed on the rotary plate 7.The arc-shaped arm 4 supports an X-ray image receiving apparatus 5. TheX-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is arranged at a position opposite tothe X-ray tube 2 with sandwiching the object under examination, anddetects an X-ray which is penetrated through the object underexamination so as to convert the detected X-ray into an electric signal.The X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is arranged in such a manner thatthis X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 may be transported by acurved-line guide unit 6 over the arm 4 within the curvature plane wherethe iso-center “Z” is located as the center thereof, while this X-rayimage receiving apparatus 5 is located opposite to the X-ray tube 2.

The above-described X-ray apparatus 5 is constructed of both an imageintensifier and a television camera, or both the image intensifier and aCCD (charge-coupled device) camera. Alternatively, a flat panel typetwo-dimensional sensor using a semiconductor detector may employed asthe X-ray image receiving apparatus. Also, an opening portion 17 havingthe same dimension as that of the rotary plate 7 is formed in asupporting frame 8 for supporting the rotary plate 7. While the objectunder examination is transported in parallel to the rotation center axisof the rotary plate 7 by also involving the spaces of these openingportions, the entire portion of the object under examination definedfrom the head up to the foot can be examined by way of the X-rayfluoroscopic operation and the X-ray imaging operation.

The rotary plate 7 is ratably supported via at least one pair ofbearings 11 with respect to the supporting frame 8 for supporting thisrotary plate. Rotation drive force derived from a drive unit 9 istransferred via a belt 10 to the bearings 11 so as to rotate the rotaryplate 7. The drive unit 9 is constituted by a motor 9 a fixed on thesupporting frame 8, a pulley 9 b fixed on the motor shaft of this motor9 a, a brake 9 c used to stop rotations of the motor 9 a, and a detector9 d for detecting a rotation number of the motor 9 a.

The detector 9 d detects the actual rotation number of the motor 9 a,and then, the detection value is employed so as to control the rotaryplate 7 at a predetermined rotation number (control apparatus isomitted). Since the medical X-ray apparatus is arranged in theabove-explained manner, both the arm 1 and the arm 4, which are fixed onthe rotary plate 7 can be rotated around an axial line as a center. Thisaxial line is located parallel to the body axial direction involving theiso-center “Z”, and further, both the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5and the X-ray tube 2 are rotatable, while the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 is located opposite to the X-ray tube 2.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show structural diagrams of a slide-transportingapparatus capable of slide-transporting the X-ray tube 2 and the X-rayimage receiving apparatus 5, shown in FIG. 1, on the arc-shaped arms,respectively. That is, FIG. 2A is a structural diagram of aslide-transporting apparatus for the X-ray tube 2, and FIG. 2B is astructural diagram of a slide-transporting apparatus for the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5.

In FIG. 2A, the X-ray tube 2 is fixed on a frame 15, and the arm 1 isequipped with a curved-line guide unit 3 and an inner gear 16. At leastone pair of rollers 12 are provided with the curved-line guide unit 3 ofthe arm 1. These rollers 12 can slide the curved-line guide unit 3 ofthe frame 15 with respect to this frame 15. This curved-line guide unit3 is slid by receiving the drive force given from the drive unit 13.

The drive unit 13 is constituted by a motor 13 a fixed on the frame 15,a brake 13 b, a gear 14 which is fixed on a shaft end of the motor 13 aand also a shaft end of the brake 13 b, and a detector 13 c fordetecting the rotation number of the motor 13 a. This drive unit 13 isarranged in such a manner that the drive force of the motor 13 a istransferred to the curved-line guide unit 3 by the meshing the gear 14fixed on the shaft end with the inner gear 16 provided in the arm 1.

On the other hand, in FIG. 2B, the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 isfixed on a frame 20, and the arm 4 is equipped with a curved-line guideunit 6 and an inner gear 21. At least one pair of rollers 22 areprovided with the curved-line guide unit 6 of the arm 4. These rollers22 can slide the curved-line guide unit 6 of the frame 20 with respectto this frame 20. This curved-line guide unit 6 is slid by receiving thedrive force given from the drive unit 23.

The drive unit 23 is constituted by a motor 23 a fixed on the frame 20,a brake 23 b, a gear 24 which is fixed on a shaft end of the motor 23 aand also a shaft end of the brake 23 b, and a detector 23 c fordetecting the rotation number of the motor 23 a. This drive unit 23 isarranged in such a manner that the drive force of the motor 23 a istransferred to the curved-line guide unit 6 by the meshing the gear 24fixed on the shaft end with the inner gear 21 provided in the arm 4.

Next, operations of the embodiment mode 1 according to the presentinvention will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1, FIG.2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 3 for representing an arrangement of a controlapparatus of this medical X-ray apparatus.

An operator instructs an operation device 30 to select any one of anX-ray fluoroscopic image and a cone-beam CT image. In response to thisinstruction, when the operator selects the function of acquiring thefluoroscopic image, an output of the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5is entered into an image processing apparatus 40 by operating aswitching device 36. In response to this instruction, when the operatorselects the function of acquiring the cone-beam CT image, an output ofthe X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is entered to another imageprocessing apparatus 50 by operating the switching device 36.

A: In the Case That the Function of Acquiring the X-ray FluoroscopicImage is Selected

In such a case that the operator selects the function of acquiring thefluoroscopic image, a system controller 31 supplies a command to theswitching device 36 by which the output of the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 is entered into the image processing apparatus 40 forprocessing the fluoroscopic image data, and also supplies a controlcommand to an X-ray tube slide control apparatus 33, an X-ray imagereceiving apparatus slide-control apparatus 32, and a rotary platecontrol apparatus 34 to position the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 along a direction where the X-ray fluoroscopicoperation is wanted to be carried out. The X-ray fluoroscopic operationsaccording to the embodiment mode 1 of the present invention may becarried out by way of the below-mentioned methods along multipledirections in response to a diagnostic purpose and a curing purpose.Now, these operations will be explained as follows:

(A1) X-ray Fluoroscopic Operation Along Direction Perpendicular to BodyAxis of Object Under Examination

A slide position control command is sent from the operation device 30via the system controller 31 to both the X-ray tube slide controlapparatus 33 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus slide controlapparatus 32. This slide position control command may slide-transportboth the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 to sucha position perpendicular to the body axis of the object underexamination. Namely, this position corresponds to central positions(positions “α” and “β” of FIG. 1) of the arc-shaped arms 1 and 4 whichsupports the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5.

In response to these slide position control commands, the motors (13 aand 23 a) of the drive units 13 and 23 for sliding the X-ray tube 2 andthe X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are rotated so as to rotate thegears (14 and 24) provided on the shaft ends of the motors. The frames15 and 20 held under slidable condition are slid by the rollers (12 and22) within the inner gears (16 and 21) which are meshed with these gears(14 and 24), so that both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5, which are supported by these frames (15 and 20) arearranged opposite to each other at such a position perpendicular to thebody axis of the object under examination. In such a case that the X-raytube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are positioned toarbitrary rotation positions in order that the object under examinationis treated by the X-ray fluoroscopic operation under this condition, ora traveling direction of a blood vessel is confirmed from anotherdirection, an instruction is sent from the system controller 31 to therotary plate rotation control apparatus 34 for controlling the rotationof the rotary plate 7 in response to an instruction of the operationdevice 30 operated by the operator in a manner similar to theabove-described case. Based upon this instruction, the motor 9 a of thedrive unit 9 is rotated so as to rotate the pulley 9 b coupled to thismotor shaft. Then, the rotary plate 7 is rotated via the belt 10 whichcouples this pulley 9 b to the rotary plate 7, and also via the bearing11 for rotatably supporting the supporting frame 8. When the rotaryplate 7 is reached to a target rotation angle position, the brake 9 c isactuated so as to stop this rotary plate 7 at a desirable angle, so thatboth the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are heldunder the stop condition. Then, the X-ray fluoroscopic operation iscarried out with respect to the object under examination at this holdingangle.

Then, both at the rotation angle position of the rotation plate 7 and inthe slide positions of the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5, the X-ray control apparatus 35 produces such an X-raycontrol amount used to generate X-rays corresponding to an X-raycondition supplied from the system controller 31 in response to aninstruction issued from the operator by operating the operation device30. The X-rays are generated by the X-ray tube 2 based upon theabove-described control amount, and then, are irradiated to the objectunder examination. The X-rays which pass through this object underexamination is entered into the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 so asto be converted into an electric signal in an analog signal form. Thisanalog signal is inputted to an A/D converter 41 of the image processingapparatus 40.

This analog signal is converted into a digital signal by the A/Dconverter 41, and then, this digital signal is supplied to the imageprocessing unit 42 and also is stored into a frame memory 43. The imageprocessing unit 42 executes such an image processing operation as acontract conversion and a gamma-characteristic conversion with respectto the digital image signal sent from the image processing unit 42, andthen, supplies the image-processed digital image signal to a displaygradation processing unit 44 for performing a gradation processoperation. The digital image signal which has been gradation-processedby the display gradation processing unit 44 is converted into an analogimage signal by a D/A converter 45, so that an X-ray fluoroscopic imagemay be represented on a display 60.

(A2) X-ray Fluoroscopic Operation from Direction Inclined with Respectto Body Axis of Object under Examination

A slide position control command is sent from the operation device 30via the system controller 31 to both the X-ray tube slide controlapparatus 33 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus slide controlapparatus 32. This slide position control command may slide-transportboth the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 topositions other than positions inclined to the body axis of the objectunder examination which correspond to central positions (positions “α”and “β” of FIG. 1) of the arc-shaped arms 1 and 4 which support theX-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5, respectively.

In response to these slide position control commands, the motors (13 aand 23 a) of the drive units 13 and 23 for sliding the X-ray tube 2 andthe X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are rotated so as to rotate thegears (14 and 24) provided on the shaft ends of the motors. The frames15 and 20 held under slidable condition are slid by the rollers (12 and22) within the inner gears (16 and 21) which are meshed with these gears(14 and 24), so that both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5, which are supported by these frames (15 and 20) arearranged opposite to each other at such a position inclined to the bodyaxis of the object under examination. In such a case that the X-ray tube2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are positioned to arbitraryrotation positions in order that the object under examination is treatedby the X-ray fluoroscopic operation under this condition, or a travelingdirection of a blood vessel is confirmed from another direction, asimilar operation to that of the above-described case (A1) is carriedout.

Similar to the explanation of the above-described case (A1), an X-rayfluoroscopic image acquired from the direction inclined to the body axisof the object under examination is obtained by such that the X-rayfluoroscopic image data derived from the X-ray image receiving apparatus5 is image-processed by the image processing apparatus 40, and thus, adesirable image is indicated on the display 60.

B: In the Case that the Function of Acquiring the Cone-beam X-ray Imageis Selected

In such a case that the operator selects the function of acquiring thecone beam CT image, the system controller 31 supplies a command to theswitching device 36 by which the output of the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 is entered into the image processing apparatus 50 forprocessing the cone-beam CT image data, and also supplies a controlcommand to the X-ray tube slide control apparatus 33, and the X-rayimage receiving apparatus slide-control apparatus 32 to position theX-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 in an oppositemanner to each other. Also, the system controller 31 sends a rotaryplate rotation control command to the rotary plate rotation controlapparatus 34 to control the rotation of the rotary plate 7. A cone-beamCT image is photographed in response to these control commands. Thecone-beam CT imaging method according to the embodiment mode 1 of thepresent invention is carried out by the following methods. Subsequently,operations of these cone-beam CT imaging methods will now be explained.

(B1). In Such a Case that Cone-beam CT Imaging Operation is Carried Out,While X-ray Tube 2 is Positioned Opposite to X-ray Image ReceivingApparatus 5 Perpendicular to Body Axis of Object Under Examination (onVertical Line Involving Iso-center “Z”

A slide position control command is sent from the operation device 30via the system controller 31 to both the X-ray tube slide controlapparatus 33 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus slide controlapparatus 32. This slide position control command may slide-transportboth the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 to suchpositions perpendicular to the body axis of the object underexamination. Namely, the positions correspond to central positions(positions “α” and “β” of FIG. 1) of the arc-shaped arms 1 and 4 whichsupport the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5,respectively.

In response to these slide position control commands, the motors (13 aand 23 a) of the drive units 13 and 23 for sliding the X-ray tube 2 andthe X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are rotated so as to rotate thegears (14 and 24) provided on the shaft ends of the motors. The frames15 and 20 held under slidable condition are slid by the rollers (12 and22) within the inner gears (16 and 21) which are meshed with these gears(14 and 24), so that the X-ray tube 2 which is supported by these frames(15 and 20) is at such a position of “α” on the arm 1 shown in FIG. 4 tobe held, and also, the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is stopped at aposition of “β” on the arm 4 shown in FIG. 1 to be held.

At a stage where a preparation for positioning of the object underexamination is completed, the operator manipulates the operation device30 so as to supply a rotation control command to the rotary platerotation control apparatus 34 by the system controller 31 in order thatthe cone-beam CT image is photographed. In response to this rotationcontrol command, the motor 9 a of the drive unit 9 is rotated to rotatethe rotary plate 7.

At such a time instant when the rotation speed of the rotary plate 7 isreached to a constant rotation speed, the system controller 31 controlsthe X-ray tube 2 via the X-ray control apparatus 35 to radiate X-rays.Then, the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 detects X-rays which havepassed through the object under examination while the rotary plate 7 isrotated by 1 turn, and then converts these detected X-rays into anelectric signal.

The signal detected by the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 isconverted into a digital signal by the A/D converter, and also is storedinto a data acquiring device 51. With respect to the X-ray image dataderived from this data acquiring device 51, a pre-processing device 52executes such a pre-processing operation as a logarithm conversion, again correction, and an offset correction. Then, the image data derivedfrom this pre-processing device 52 is processed by a convolver 53 so asto calculate sum of products of X-ray absorption data along the forwardprojection direction.

Such a tomographic image is reconstructed by a back-projector 54, whichis obtained by that data after the calculation of sum of products in theconvolver 53 is back-projected with respect to an image memory 55 (willbe discussed later) to be superimposed with each other. Thisreconstructed tomographic image is stored into the image memory 55.Then, such a three-dimensional image is indicated on the display 60.This three-dimensional image is produced by way of an image converter 56which sets a CT value in a desirable range as to the data related to thetomographic image reconstructed on this image memory 55.

In accordance with this method, a three-dimensional image may beacquired. That is, this three-dimensional image owns a certain width ofa sectional plane perpendicular to the body axis of the object underexamination.

(B2). In Such a Case that Cone-beam X-ray CT Image is Acquired WhileBoth X-ray Tube 2 and X-ray Image Receiving Apparatus 5 are Inclinedwith Respect to Body Axis of Object Under Examination

While the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 and the X-ray tube 2 areoperated under control of the X-ray tube slide control apparatus 33 andthe X-ray image receiving apparatus slide control apparatus 32, therotary plate 7 is rotation-controlled by the rotary plate rotationcontrol apparatus 34 to photograph a cone-beam X-ray CT image under sucha condition that the X-ray tube 2 is located opposite to the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 on a straight line having an arbitrary angle withrespect to a vertical axial line involving an iso-center “Z” withrespect to the iso-center “Z” as a center. This condition implies suchpositions (namely, positions other than “α” and “β” of FIG. 1) otherthan center positions of the arc-shaped arms 1 and 4 which support theX-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5, respectively.

Similar to the above-described item (B1), as to a cone-beam CT imageacquired along this direction, the image data derived from the X-rayimage receiving apparatus 5 is processed by the image processingapparatus 50, and then, the processed image data is indicated on thedisplay unit 60 as a three-dimensional image acquired from a directioninclined to the body axis of the object under examination.

(B3). In Such a Case that While X-ray Tube 2 and X-ray Image ReceivingApparatus 5 are Slid Along Opposite Directions Under Condition that BothX-ray Tube 2 and X-ray Image Receiving Apparatus 5 Maintain OppositePositional Relationship, Rotary Plate 7 is Rotated to PhotographCone-beam X-ray CT Image

While the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 and the X-ray tube 2 areoperated under control of the X-ray tube slide control apparatus 33 andthe X-ray image receiving apparatus slide control apparatus 32, therotary plate 7 is rotated so as to acquire a cone-beam X-ray CT imageunder such a condition that the opposite positional relationship betweenthe X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 ismaintained, and also this X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 are slid along the opposite directions. For instance, whilethe X-ray tube 2 is arranged at a position “a1” of the right end of FIG.1 and also the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is arranged at anotherposition “b1” of the left end of FIG. 1, both the X-ray tube 2 and theX-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are mutually transported along theopposite directions by rotating the rotary plate 7 under such acondition that the opposite positional relationship between the X-raytube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is maintained in such amanner that the X-ray tube 2 is moved from the above position “a1” up toanother position “a2”, and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 ismoved from the above position “b1” up to another position “b2.”

In accordance with this method, since the image data can be acquiredalong the omnidirection by projecting the X-rays only one time, such athree-dimensional image corresponding to the multiple directions can beproduced within one time by processing the acquired image data by theimage processing unit 50. Then, this three-dimensional image can beindicated on the display unit.

(B4). In such a Case that Rotation Plate 7 is Rotated Under Such aCondition that X-ray Tube 2 and X-ray Image Receiving Apparatus 5 areArranged at Arbitrary Positions and this Opposite PositionalRelationship Between them is Maintained, Cone-beam X-ray CT Image isAcquired While Table 202 for Mounting Object Under Examination isTransported Along Body Axial Direction

The rotation plate 7 is rotated under such a condition that the X-raytube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are arranged atarbitrary positions and further this opposite positional relationshipbetween them is maintained, a cone-beam X-ray CT image may be acquiredwhile the table 202 for mounting the object under examination istransported. According to this imaging method, since such athree-dimensional image of the object under examination over a widerange can be acquired within one time, the positional relationshipbetween the curing portion of the object under examination and theportion adjacent to this curing portion can be made clear, so that theentire portion of the object under examination can be effectivelygrasped.

As a use example of the embodiment mode 1 of the present invention, adescription will now be made of such a case that the medical X-rayapparatus of the embodiment mode 1 is employed in a blood vessel curingoperation by using a catheter under X-ray fluoroscope corresponding to atypical example of the above-explained IVR. For example, in the casethat infarction contained in a coronary artery, a catheter is insertedfrom a femoral vein, and this catheter is advanced to a blood vessel ofinterest under X-ray fluoroscope. Than, at the target portion, aconstriction portion is dilated by using a balloon catheter, or anAtherectomy catheter.

First, in order to three-dimensionally grasp a position of a targetportion and a shape of this target portion prior to the curingoperation, the cone-beam CT function is selected to produce athree-dimensional image of this target portion, and thisthree-dimensional image is displayed on the display unit.

In this case, while three-dimensional images are produced from theomnidirection by executing the methods as explained in theabove-explained (B1) to (B4), and then, these three-dimensional imagesare displayed on the display unit in the following manners. Referring tothis displayed image, the position and the shape of the target portioncan be correctly grasped.

(a). The three-dimensional images produced by the methods explained inthe above-described items (B1) to (B4) are separately displayed.

(b). At least two sets of the three-dimensional images produced by themethods explained in the above-explained items (B1) to (B4) aredisplayed at the same time. For example, both the image photographed bythat the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 arearranged opposite to each other perpendicular to the body axis of theobject under examination (see item B1), and the image photographed bythat the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 areinclined with respect to the body axis of the object under examination(see item B2) are displayed at the same time. Alternatively, either theimage explained in the item (B1) or the image explained in the item(B2), and another image explained in the item (B3) are displayed at thesame time. That is, as to the image of the item (B3), under such acondition that the opposite positional relationship between the X-raytube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is maintained, therotary plate 7 is rotated to acquire the image (B3), while the X-raytube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are slid along theopposite directions.

Furthermore, many other images may be combined with each other forrepresentation purposes.

These images may be displayed on the same display unit, or on differentdisplay units. Also, this simultaneous image display is not limited totwo sorts of images, but more than two sorts of images may be displayed.

The traveling conditions of the blood vessels mixed with each other incomplex manners are three-dimensionally observed based upon the imageswhich are produced and displayed in this manner. Based upon this result,the catheter is manipulated to perform the dilating operation of theblood vessel under condition of infarction, while observing thefluoroscopic images acquired by the methods of the above-explained items(A1) and (A2). While this curing operation is carried out, thefluoroscopic images produced by the methods explained in the items (A1)and (A2) are solely displayed. In addition, both the fluoroscopic imageacquired from the direction perpendicular to the body axis of the objectunder examination, and the fluoroscopic image acquired from thedirection inclined to the body axis of the object under examination aredisplayed on either the same monitor, or the separate monitors. Whilereferring to both the images displaying an arbitrary three-dimensionalimage selected from the above-explained cone-beam CT images and also theabove-described fluoroscopic images are displayed on either the samedisplay unit, or the separate display units, the operator can advancethe curing operation by using these images as the guide purpose.Thereafter, after the curing operation is accomplished, the operatorselects the cone-beam CT image so as to acquire a three-dimensionalimage, and then, can confirm the curing effects based upon this acquiredthree-dimensional image.

As previously described, in accordance with the embodiment mode 1 ofFIG. 1, while the position and the shape of the target portion can begrasped by observing the three-dimensional image, the fluoroscopicangles along the multiple directions, especially, the fluoroscopic anglealong the body axial direction can be arbitrarily set based upon thesegrasped results. As a result, the diagnostic information as to the bloodvessels mixed with each other in the complex manner and the organs canbecome rich, by which the diagnosis and the curing operation can beimproved.

Also, since the opening portion through which the object underexamination is inserted is provided in the rotary plate, both thearc-shaped arms 1 and 4 can be made short as being permitted aspossible, so that the medical X-ray apparatus can be made compact.

FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of a medical X-ray apparatus according toan embodiment mode 2 of the present invention.

This medical X-ray apparatus of the embodiment mode 2 shown in FIG. 4 issuch an example that both an arm 70 and another arm 72 are made instraight-line shapes, which may slide/hold the X-ray tube 2 and theX-ray image receiving apparatus 5 at arbitrary positions. When the arm70 and the arm 72 are made of the straight-line shapes, such anapparatus is required. This apparatus variably changes rotation anglesof the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 in orderto fluoroscopic-image an object under examination along a directioninclined to a body axis of the object under examination. FIG. 5 shows astructural construction having contrary both this rotation anglechanging apparatus and also in means for slide-transporting the X-raytube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5. In FIG. 4, referencenumeral 70 indicates a straight-line shaped arm which is fixed on therotary plate 7 and supports the X-ray tube 2 for irradiating X-rays toan object 201 under examination. It is so constructed that the X-raytube 2 is slidable on the arm 70 in a straight line manner by astraight-line guide unit 71.

Reference numeral 72 indicates another straight-line shape arm forsupporting the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5, which is fixed on therotary plate 7. The X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is arranged at theposition opposite to the X-ray tube 2, while sandwiching the objectunder examination, and detects an X-ray which has passed through theobject under examination, and then, converts this detection signal intoan electric signal. The X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is arranged insuch a manner that this X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is slidableover the arm 72 in a linear fashion by way of a straight-line guide unit73, while being located opposite to the X-ray tube 2.

The rotary plate 7 is rotatably supported via at least one pair ofbearings 11 with respect to the supporting frame 8 for supporting thisrotary plate 7. Rotation drive force derived from the drive unit 9 istransferred via a belt 10 to the bearing 11 so as to rotate the rotaryplate 7. Similar to the above-described embodiment mode 1, an openingportion 17 into which the object under examination may be inserted isprovided to the rotary plate 7 and the supporting frame 8.

The construction of the drive unit 9 is similar to that of FIG. 1. Sincesuch a construction is employed, both the arm 70 and the arm 72, whichare fixed on the rotary plate 7, may be rotated around a horizontalaxial line involving the iso-center “Z” as a center, so that both theX-ray image receiving apparatus 5 and the X-ray tube 2 can be rotated,while the X-ray tube 2 is located opposite to the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are diagrams for representing a construction of adrive apparatus (sliding and rotating operations) of the X-ray tube 2shown in FIG. 4, and also a construction of a drive apparatus (slidingand rotating operations) of the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5. Thatis, FIG. 5A is a structural diagram of the drive apparatus for drivingthe X-ray tube 2, and FIG. 5B is a structural diagram of the driveapparatus for driving the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5. First, adescription is made of the drive apparatus for the X-ray tube 2. In FIG.5A, the X-ray tube 2 is fixed on a rotary frame 80, and this rotaryframe 80 is fitted to a slide frame 83 by way of a bearing 86 and ashaft 87. This slide frame 83 slides the X-ray tube 2 on a straight lineof the arm 70.

The arm 70 owns both a straight line guide unit 71 and an inner gear 81,at least one pair of rollers 82 are provided in the straight line guideunit 81 of the arm 70, and this roller 82 can slide the straight-lineguide unit 71 of the arm 70 with respect to the slide frame 83.

A slide drive unit 84 of the above-described slide apparatus is arrangedby a motor 84 a fixed on the slide frame 83, a brake 84 b, a gear 85fixed on a shaft end of this motor 84 a, and also a detector 84 c fordetecting a rotation number of the motor 84 a. The X-ray tube 2 isslid/transported by meshing the gear 85 fixed on the shaft end with theinner gear 81 provided on the arm 70.

The irradiation direction of the X-ray irradiated from the X-ray tube 2in order to change the fluoroscopic direction is variable by rotatingthe rotary frame 80 by employing the below-mentioned mechanism. In otherwords, the rotary frame 80 is fixed on one end of a shaft 87 having anouter diameter which is made substantially coincident with innerdiameters of at least one pair of bearings 86 which are provided on theslide frame 83. Furthermore, the bearing 86 is fitted to the shaft 87.This rotary frame 80 is rotated with respect to the slide frame 83around this shaft 87 as a center. A rotation drive unit 89 for rotatingthe rotation frame 80 is constituted by a motor 89 a fixed on the slideframe 83, a brake 89 b, a pulley 88 fixed on a shaft end of this motor89 a, and also a detector 89 c for detecting the rotation number of themotor 89 a. While the pulley 88 fixed to the shaft 87 is coupled to thebelt 90, the rotation drive force of this motor 89 a is transferred tothe rotation frame 80 so as to rotate the X-ray tube 2. As a result, theX-ray tube 2 may be variably set along an arbitrary direction.

Next, the drive apparatus for the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 willnow be described. In FIG. 5B, the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 isfixed on a rotary frame 91. The rotary frame 91 is fitted to a slideframe 92 by way of a bearing 93 and a shaft 94. This slide frame 92 mayslide the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 on a straight line of thearm 72.

The arm 72 owns both a straight line guide unit 95 and an inner gear 96,at least one pair of rollers 97 are provided in the straight line guideunit 95 of the arm 72, and this roller 97 can slide the straight-lineguide unit 95 of the arm 72 with respect to the slide frame 92.

A slide drive unit 98 which constitutes the above-described slideapparatus is arranged by a motor 98 a fixed on the slide frame 92, abrake 98 b, a gear 99 fixed on a shaft end of this motor 98 a, and alsoa detector 98 c for detecting a rotation number of the motor 98 a. TheX-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is slid/transported by meshing thegear 99 fixed on the shaft end with the inner gear 96 provided on thearm 72 to an opposite position against the X-ray tube 2.

The X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is arranged in a directionopposite to the irradiation direction of the X-ray irradiated from theX-ray tube by rotating the rotary frame 91 by employing thebelow-mentioned mechanism.

In other words, the rotary frame 91 is fixed on one end of a shaft 94having an outer diameter which is made substantially identical to innerdiameters of at least one pair of bearings 93 which are provided on theslide frame 92. Furthermore, the bearing 93 is fitted to the shaft 94.This rotary frame 91 is rotated with respect to the slide frame 92around this shaft 94 as a center. A rotation drive unit 100 for rotatingthe rotary frame 91 is constituted by a motor 100 a fixed on the slideframe 92, a brake 100 b, a pulley 101 fixed on a shaft end of this motor100 a, and also a detector 100 c for detecting the rotation number ofthe motor 100 a. While a pulley 101 fixed to the shaft 94 is coupled toa belt 102, the rotation drive force of this motor 100 a is transferredto the rotary frame 91 so as to rotate the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5.

It should be understood that operations of the medical X-ray apparatuswith employment of such a construction are substantially similar to theoperations of the above-explained embodiment mode 1 except for such anoperation that the fluoroscopic directions of the X-ray tube 2 and theX-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are variably changed.

That is to say, while the operation for sliding the straight-line guideunit shown in FIG. 4 is replaced by the curved-line guide unit shown inFIG. 1, an apparatus capable of variably changing the fluoroscopicdirections of the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5is additionally provided and an arrangement of this control apparatus isrepresented in FIG. 6.

An operator instructs an operation device 30 to select any one of anX-ray fluoroscopic image and a cone-beam CT image in a similar manner tothat of the embodiment mode 1. In response to this instruction, when theoperator selects the function of acquiring the fluoroscopic image, anoutput of the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is entered into an imageprocessing apparatus 40 by operating a switching device 36. In responseto this instruction, when the operator selects the function of acquiringthe cone-beam CT image, an output of the X-ray image receiving apparatus5 is entered to another image processing apparatus 50 by operating theswitching device 36.

C: In the Case that the Function of Acquiring the X-ray FluoroscopicImage is Selected

In such a case that the operator selects the function of acquiring thefluoroscopic image, a system controller 31 supplies a command to theswitching device 36 by which the output of the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 is entered into the image processing apparatus 40 forprocessing the fluoroscopic image data, and also supplies a controlcommand to an X-ray tube slide control apparatus 33, an X-ray imagereceiving apparatus slide-control apparatus 32, a rotary plate controlapparatus 34, an X-ray radiation direction control apparatus 100, and anX-ray image receiving direction control apparatus 111. This controlcommand is used to position both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 along a direction where the X-ray fluoroscopicoperation is wanted to be carried out. The X-ray fluoroscopic operationsaccording to the embodiment mode 2 of the present invention may becarried out by way of the below-mentioned methods along multipledirections in response to a diagnostic purpose and a curing purpose.Now, these operations will be explained as follows:

(C1) X-ray Fluoroscopie Operation Along Direction Perpendicular to BodyAxis of Object Under Examination

A control command is sent from the operation device 30 via the systemcontroller 31 to both the X-ray radiation direction control apparatus100 and the X-ray image receiving direction control apparatus 111. Thiscontrol command may set the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 to such a position perpendicular to the body axis of theobject under examination. In response to these direction controlcommands, the rotation angles of the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 are controlled by both the X-ray radiationdirection control apparatus 100 and the X-ray image receiving directioncontrol apparatus 111 in such a manner that both the X-ray tube 2 andthe X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are located perpendicular to thebody axis of the object under examination.

These rotation angles are set to such rotation angles based upon theabove-explained direction control command in such a manner that whilethe motors (89 a and 100 a) of the drive units 89 and 100 for rotatingboth the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 arerotated, the rotation force of the motors (89 a and 100 a) istransferred via the pulleys (88 and 101) provided on the shaft ends ofthese motors, and also via the belts (90 and 102) coupled to thesepulleys to the rotation frame (80 and 91). As a result, both the X-raytube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are arranged oppositeto each other perpendicular to the body axis of the object underexamination.

Next, such a control command is transmitted via the system controller 31to both the X-ray tube slide control apparatus 33 and the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus slide control apparatus 32. This control commandinstructs that the X-ray tube 2 is arranged opposite to the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 at arbitrary positions on both the straight-lineshaped arms 70 and 72, where the X-ray fluoroscopic operation is wantedto be carried out under such a condition that the rotation angles of theX-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image apparatus 5 are maintained at theabove-described angles. In response to these slide position controlcommands, the motors (84 a and 98 a) of the drive units 84 and 98 forsliding the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 arerotated so as to rotate the gears (85 and 99) provided on the shaft endsof the motors. The slide frames 83 and 92 held under slidable conditionare slid by the rollers (82 and 97) within the inner gears (81 and 96)which are meshed with these gears (85 and 99), so that both the X-raytube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5, which are supported bythese slide frames (83 and 92), are arranged opposite to each other atsuch a position perpendicular to the body axis of the object underexamination. In such a case that the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 are positioned to arbitrary rotation positions inorder that the object under examination is treated by the X-rayfluoroscopic operation under this condition, or a traveling direction ofa blood vessel is confirmed from another direction, an instruction issent from the system controller 31 to the rotary plate rotation controlapparatus 34 for controlling the rotation of the rotary plate 7 inresponse to an instruction of the operation device 30 operated by theoperator in a manner similar to the above-described case. In response tothis instruction, the drive unit 9 is driven so as to rotate the rotaryplate 7. When the rotary plate 7 is reached to a target rotation angleposition, the brake 9 c is actuated so as to stop this rotary plate 7 ata desirable angle, so that both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 are held under the stop condition. Then, the X-rayfluoroscopic operation is carried out with respect to the object underexamination at this holding angle.

Then, both at the rotation angle position of the rotation plate 7 and inthe slide positions of the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5, the X-ray control apparatus 35 produces such an X-raycontrol amount used to generate X-rays corresponding to an X-raycondition supplied from the system controller 31 in response to aninstruction issued from the operator by operating the operation device30. The X-rays are generated by the X-ray tube 2 based upon theabove-described control amount, and then, are irradiated to the objectunder examination. The X-rays which pass through this object underexamination is entered into the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 so asto be converted into an electric signal in an analog signal. Thiselectric signal is processed by the image processing apparatus 40, sothat a desirable X-ray fluoroscopic image may be represented on adisplay unit 60.

(C2) X-ray Fluoroscopic Operation from Direction Inclined with Respectto Body Axis of Object Under Examination

First, an X-ray fluoroscopic operation with respect to an object underexamination is determined based upon the following conditions: a) whatposition; b) what direction; and c) what angle around the object underexamination.

Based upon the conditions, a position where the X-ray fluoroscopicoperation is first carried out, namely both the X-ray tube 2 and theX-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are set to certain positions on thestraight-line shaped arms 70 and 72. Next, at the above positions, aradiation direction of an X-ray is set. Namely, inclined angles(rotation angles) of the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 with respect to the body axis of the object underexamination are set. Then, it is so determined that the X-rayfluoroscopic operation is carried out from which position around theobject under examination (namely, rotation angle of rotary plate 7).Among these procedures, a description will now be made of such a casethat the X-ray fluoroscopic operation is carried out along such adirection inclined to the body axis of the object under examination. Thesystem controller 31 sends such a control command to both the X-ray tubeslide control apparatus 33 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus slidecontrol apparatus 32. Based upon this control command, both the X-raytube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are arranged oppositeto each other at arbitrary positions on the straight-line shaped arms 70and 72, where the X-ray fluoroscopic operation is wanted to be carriedout. In response to this control command, both the X-ray tube 2 and theX-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are slid (namely, slide-transported bydrive units 84 and 98), and then are stopped at the target positions.

Next, the system controller 31 sends such an inclination command to boththe X-ray radiation direction control apparatus 100 and the X-ray imagereceiving direction control apparatus 111. This inclination commandinstructs that both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 define an opposite angle at the above position with respectto the body axis of the object under examination. In response to thiscontrol command, both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 are rotated (namely, rotated by drive units 89 and 100), andsuch an angle is set by which the X-ray tube 2 may be positionedopposite to the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5.

As a result, both the positions where the X-ray fluoroscopic operationis carried out and the inclination angles with respect to the body axisare set. While these positions and angles are arbitrarily set, the X-rayfluoroscopic operation can be carried out along the direction inclinedwith respect to the body axis.

In such a case that the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 are positioned to arbitrary rotation positions in order thata traveling direction of a blood vessel is confirmed from anotherdirection, a rotation control instruction is sent from the operationdevice 30 to the rotary plate rotation control apparatus 34 forcontrolling the rotation of the rotary plate 7 so as to stop the rotaryplate 7 at a desirable rotation position (rotated by drive unit 9).Then, this rotary plate 7 is held at this desirable rotation positionwhere the X-ray fluoroscopic operation is carried out.

Then, an X-ray corresponding to the X-ray condition set by the operationdevice 30 is generated from the X-ray tube 2 to be irradiated to theobject under examination. The X-ray which has penetrated through thisobject under examination is entered into the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 so as to be converted into an electric signal. This electricsignal is processed by the image processing apparatus 40, so that adesirable X-ray fluoroscopic image is displayed on the display unit 60.

D: In the Case that the Function of Acquiring the Cone-beam X-ray Imageis Selected

In such a case that the operator selects the function of acquiring thecone beam CT image, the system controller 31 supplies a command to theswitching device 36 by which the output of the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 is entered into the image processing apparatus 50 forprocessing the fluoroscopic image data, and also supplies such a controlcommand to the X-ray tube slide control apparatus 33, the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus slide-control apparatus 32, the rotary platerotation control apparatus 34, the X-ray radiation direction controlapparatus 100, and the X-ray image receiving control apparatus 111.

The cone-beam CT imaging method according to the embodiment mode 2 ofthe present invention is carried out by the following methods.Subsequently, operations of these cone-beam CT imaging methods will nowbe explained.

(D1). In such a Case that Cone-beam CT Imaging Operation is Carried Out,While X-ray Tube 2 is Positioned Opposite to X-ray Image ReceivingApparatus 5 Perpendicular to Body Axis of Object Under Examination

A control command is set from the operation device 30 via the systemcontroller 31 to both the X-ray radiation direction control apparatus100 and the X-ray image receiving direction control apparatus 111. Thiscontrol command may set both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 to such a position perpendicular to the body axisof the object under examination. Namely, the rotations of the X-ray tube2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are controlled by the driveunits 89 and 100. As a result, both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 are arranged opposite to each other perpendicularto the body axis of the object under examination.

Next, such a control command is transmitted via the system controller 31to both the X-ray tube slide control apparatus 33 and the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus slide control apparatus 32. This control commandinstructs that the X-ray tube 2 is arranged opposite to the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 at arbitrary positions on both the line-lineshaped arms 70 and 72, where the X-ray fluoroscopic operation is wantedto be carried out under such a condition that the rotation angles of theX-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image apparatus 5 are maintained at theabove-described angles. Based upon these slide position controlcommands, the drive units 84 and 98 for sliding both the X-ray tube 2and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 slide the slide frames (83 and91), so that both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 supported on these slide frames (83 and 91) are stopped andheld at such a position corresponding to the above-explained controlposition instruction. At a stage where a preparation for positioning ofthe object under examination is completed, the operator manipulates theoperation device 30 so as to supply a rotation control command to therotary plate rotation control apparatus 34 by the system controller 31in order that the cone-beam CT image is photographed. In response tothis rotation control command, the motor 9 a of the drive unit 9 isrotated to rotate the rotary plate 7.

At such a time instant when the rotation speed of the rotary plate 7 isreached to a constant rotation speed, the system controller 31 controlsthe X-ray tube 2 via the X-ray control apparatus 35 to radiate X-rays.Then, the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 detects X-rays which havepassed through the object under examination while the rotary plate 7 isrotated by 1 turn, and then converts these detected X-rays into anelectric signal.

The signal detected by the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 isprocessed by the image processing apparatus 50 in a similar processingmanner to that of the above-explained case (B1). Then, the producedthree-dimensional image is displayed on the display device 60.

In accordance with this method, a three-dimensional image may beacquired. That is, this three-dimensional image owns a certain width ofa sectional plane perpendicular to the body axis of the object underexamination.

(D2): In the Case that Cone-beam CT Image is Acquired While Both X-rayTube 2 and X-ray Image Receiving Apparatus 5 are Inclined with Respectto Body Axis of Object Under Examination

First, a cone-beam X-ray CT image acquiring operation with respect to anobject under examination is determined based upon the followingconditions: a) what position; and b) what direction.

Based upon the conditions, first, both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-rayimage receiving apparatus 5 are set to certain positions on thestraight-line shaped arms 70 and 72. Next, at the above positions, aradiation direction of an X-ray is set. Namely, inclined angles(rotation angles) of the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 with respect to the body axis respect to the body axis ofthe object under examination are set. Then, the rotary plate 7 isrotated to acquire a cone-beam CT image of the object under examination.A description will now be made of such a case that a cone-beam CT imageis acquired along such a direction inclined to the body axis of theobject under examination based upon these procedures.

The system controller 31 sends such a control command to both the X-raytube slide control apparatus 33 and the X-ray image receiving apparatusslide control apparatus 32. Based upon this control command, both theX-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are arrangedopposite to each other at arbitrary positions on the straight-lineshaped arms 70 and 72. In response to this control command, both theX-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are slid (namely,slide-transported by drive units 84 and 98), and then are stopped at thetarget positions.

Next, the system controller 31 sends such an inclination command to boththe X-ray radiation direction control apparatus 100 and the X-ray imagereceiving direction control apparatus 111. This inclination commandinstructs that both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 define an opposite angle at the above position with respectto the body axis of the object under examination. In response to thiscontrol command, both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 are rotated (namely, rotated by drive units 89 and 100), andsuch an angle is set by which the X-ray tube 2 may be positionedopposite to the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5.

At a stage where a preparation for positioning of the object underexamination is completed based upon such a procedure, the operatormanipulates the operation device 30 so as to supply a rotation controlcommand to the rotary plate rotation control apparatus 34 by the systemcontroller 31 in order that the cone-beam CT image is photographed. Inresponse to this rotation control command, the motor 9 a of the driveunit 9 is rotated to rotate the rotary plate 7.

At such a time instant when the rotation speed of the rotary plate 7 isreached to a constant rotation speed, the system controller 31 controlsthe X-ray tube 2 via the X-ray control apparatus 35 to radiate X-rays.Then, the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 detects X-rays which havepassed through the object under examination while the rotary plate 7 isrotated by 1 turn, and then converts this detection signal into anelectric signal. Then, this electric detection signal is entered intothe image processing apparatus 50 so as to perform various sorts ofimage processing operations, so that a desirable three-dimensional imageis displayed on the display unit 60.

In accordance with this method, a three-dimensional image may beacquired. That is, this three-dimensional image owns a certain width ofa sectional plane perpendicular to the body axis of the object underexamination.

(D3). In Such a Case that While X-ray Tube 2 and X-ray Image ReceivingApparatus 5 are Slid Along Reverse Directions Under Condition that BothX-ray Tube 2 and X-ray Image Receiving Apparatus 5 Maintain OppositePositional Relationship, Rotary Plate 7 is Rotated to PhotographCone-beam X-ray CT Image

While the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 and the X-ray tube 2 areoperated under control of the X-ray tube slide control apparatus 33 andthe X-ray image receiving apparatus slide control apparatus 32, therotary plate 7 is rotated so as to acquire a cone-beam X-ray CT imageunder such a condition that the opposite positional relationship betweenthe X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 ismaintained, and also this X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 are slid along the reverse directions.

For instance, while the X-ray tube 2 is arranged at a position “c1” ofthe right end of FIG. 4 and also the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5is arranged at another position “d1” of the left end of FIG. 4, both theX-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are mutuallymoved along the reverse directions by rotating the rotary plate 7 undersuch a condition that the opposite positional relationship between theX-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is maintained insuch a manner that the X-ray tube 2 is moved from the above position“c1” up to another position “c2”, and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 is moved from the above position “d1” up to another position“d2.”

In this cone-beam X-ray CT image operation, the rotation angles of boththe X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 must becontrolled by employing both the X-ray radiation direction controlapparatus 100 and the X-ray image direction control apparatus 111 insuch a manner that even when both the X-ray tube and the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 are located at any positions on the straight-lineshaped arms 70 and 72, the opposition positional relationship betweenthem can be maintained. In accordance with this method, since the imagedata can be acquired along the omnidirection by projecting the X-raysonly one time without moving the object under examination, such athree-dimensional image corresponding to the multiple directions can beproduced within one time by processing the acquired image data by theimage processing unit 50. Then, this three-dimensional image can beindicated on the display unit.

(D4). In Such a Case that Under Such a Condition that X-ray Tube 2 andX-ray Image Receiving Apparatus 5 Maintain Opposite PositionalRelationship, Cone-beam X-ray CT Image is Acquired While the X-ray Tube2 and the X-ray Image Acquiring Unit 5 are Transported Along SameDirection at the Same Time

Under control of the X-ray radiation direction control apparatus 100 andthe X-ray image receiving control apparatus 111, both the X-ray tube 2and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are arranged opposite to eachother and also positioned perpendicular to the body axis of the objectunder examination. While maintaining this condition, both the X-ray tube2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are transported over thestraight-line shaped arms 70 and 72 at the same time, and the rotaryplate 7 is continuously rotated so as to acquire a cone-beam X-ray CTimage. For instance, while the X-ray tube 2 is arranged at a position“c1” of the right end of FIG. 4 and also the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 is arranged at another position “d2” of the right end ofFIG. 4, both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5are mutually transported along the same direction by rotating the rotaryplate 7 under such a condition that the opposite positional relationshipbetween the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 ismaintained in such a manner that the X-ray tube 2 is moved from theabove position “c1” up to another position “c2”, and the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 is moved from the above position “d2” up toanother position “d1”, by rotating the rotary plate 7. In accordancewith this method, since the image data can be acquired along theomnidirection by projecting the X-rays only one time, such athree-dimensional image over a wide range can be produced within onetime.

(D5) Other Imaging Methods

Under such a condition that both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 are arranged opposite to each other at arbitrarypositions on the straight-line arms 70 and 72 and then are brought intostational states, a cone-beam X-ray CT imaging operation may be carriedout, while the rotary plate 7 is rotated and a table 202 for mountingthereon the object 201 under examination is transported. In accordancewith this imaging method, since such three-dimensional images of theobject 201 under examination over a wide range can be acquired withinone time, the positional relationship between a curing portion and aportion adjacent to this curing portion can be made clear, so that theentire portion of the object under examination can be effectivelygrasped.

Similar to the above-described embodiment mode 1, the medical X-rayapparatus of this embodiment mode 2 of the present invention is suitablefor the IVR method.

In the case that this medical X-ray apparatus of the embodiment mode 2is employed in the IVR in order to three-dimensionally grasp a positionof a target portion and a shape of this target portion prior to thecuring operation, the cone-beam CT imaging method is selected to producea three-dimensional image of this target portion, and thisthree-dimensional image is displayed on the display unit. In this case,this cone-beam X-ray CT imaging method is suitable for the curingmethods as explained in the above-explained (D1) to (D5).

Similar to the embodiment mode 1, as a representation of theabove-explained cone-beam CT image, there are the below-mentioneddisplay methods: That is to say,

(a). The three-dimensional images produced by the methods explained inthe above-described items (D1) to (D5) are separately displayed.

(b). At least two sets of the three-dimensional images produced by themethods explained in the above-explained items (D1) to (D5) aredisplayed at the same time. For example, both the image photographed bythat the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 arearranged opposite to each other perpendicular to the body axis of theobject under examination (see item D1), and the image photographed bythat the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 areinclined with respect to the body axis of the object under examination(see item D2) are displayed at the same time. Alternatively, either theimage explained in the item (D1) or the image explained in the item(D2), and another image explained in the item (D3) are displayed at thesame time. That is, as to the image of the item (D3), under such acondition that the opposite positional relationship between the X-raytube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is maintained, therotary plate 7 is rotated to acquire the image, while the X-ray tube 2and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are slid along the reversedirections.

(c). These images may be displayed on the same display unit, or ondifferent display units. Also, this simultaneous image display is notlimited to two sorts of images, but more than two sorts of images may bedisplayed.

The traveling conditions of the blood vessels mixed with each other incomplex manners are three-dimensionally observed based upon the imageswhich are produced and displayed in this manner. Based upon this result,the catheter is manipulated to perform the dilating operation of theblood vessel under condition of infarction, while observing thefluoroscopic images acquired by the methods of the above-explained items(C1) and (C2) of the embodiment mode 2. While this curing operation iscarried out, the fluoroscopic images produced by the methods explainedin the items (C1) and (C2) are solely displayed. In addition, both thefluoroscopic image acquired from the direction perpendicular to the bodyaxis of the object under examination, and the fluoroscopic imageacquired from the direction inclined to the body axis of the objectunder examination are displayed on either the same monitor, or theseparate monitors. While referring to both the images displaying anarbitrary three-dimensional image selected from the above-explainedcone-beam CT images and also the above-described fluoroscopic images aredisplayed on either the same display unit, or the separate displayunits, the operator can advance the curing operation by using theseimages as the guide purpose. Thereafter, after the curing operation isaccomplished, the operator selects the cone-beam CT image so as toacquire a three-dimensional image, and then, can confirm the curingeffects based upon this acquired three-dimensional image.

As previously described, in accordance with the embodiment mode 2 ofFIG. 4, in addition to a similar effect to that of the embodiment mode 1shown in FIG. 1, since the shapes of the arms which may support both theX-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are made in suchstraight-line forms, there are the following effects. That is, the slidemechanisms used for the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 can be made simple. Also, these supporting arms can bereadily manufactured, and the rotary plates can be easily fixed on thesearms.

FIG. 7 is a structural diagram for representing a medical X-rayapparatus according to an embodiment mode 3 of the present invention.

The medical X-ray apparatus, according to this embodiment mode 3 of thepresent invention, is arranged by that the opening portion of theembodiment mode 1 shown in FIG. 1, into which the object underexamination is inserted, is omitted from the medical X-ray apparatus ofthe embodiment mode 1.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 120 indicates an arc-shaped arm. Thearc-shaped arm 120 supports an X-ray tube 2 for irradiating an X-ray toan object 201 under medical examination, and is fixed on a rotary plate130. The X-ray tube 2 is arranged in such a manner that this X-ray tube2 may be transported by a curved-line guide unit 121 over the arm 120within a curvature plane where an iso-center “Z” is located as a centerthereof.

Reference numeral 122 shows an arc-shaped arm fixed on the rotary plate130. The arc-shaped arm 122 supports an X-ray image receiving apparatus5. The X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is arranged at a positionopposite to the X-ray tube 2 with sandwiching the object underexamination, and detects an X-ray which is penetrated through the objectunder examination so as to convert the detected X-ray into an electricsignal. The X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is arranged in such amanner that this X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 may be transported bya curved-line guide unit 123 over the arm 122 within a curvature planehaving the iso-center “Z” as a center thereof, while this X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 is located opposite to the X-ray tube 2. Theabove-described X-ray apparatus 5 is construct of both an imageintensifier and a television camera, or both the image intensifier and aCCD (change-coupled device) camera. Alternatively, a flat panel typetwo-dimensional sensor using a semiconductor detector may employed asthe X-ray image receiving apparatus.

The rotary plate 130 is ratably supported via at least one pair ofbearings 134 with respect to a supporting frame 131 for supporting thisrotary plate. Rotation drive force derived from a drive unit 132 istransferred via a belt 133 to the bearings 134 so as to rotate therotary plate 130. The drive unit 132 is constituted by a motor 132 afixed on the supporting frame 131, a pulley 132 b fixed on the motorshaft of this motor 132 a, a brake 132 c used to stop rotations of themotor 132 a, and a detector 132 d for detecting a rotation number of themotor 132 a. The detector 132 d detects the actual rotation number ofthe motor 132 a, and then, the detection value is employed so as tocontrol the rotary plate 131 at a predetermined rotation number (controlapparatus is omitted). Since the medical X-ray apparatus is arranged inthe above-explained manner, both the arm 120 and the arm 122, which arefixed on the rotary plate 131 can be rotated around an axial line as acenter. This axial line is located parallel to the body axial directioninvolving the iso-center “Z”, and further, both the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 and the X-ray rube 2 are rotatable, while theX-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is located opposite to the X-ray tube2. As previously described, in this embodiment mode 3 of the presentinvention, the opening portions into which the object under examinationis not provided with the rotary plate 130 and also the supporting frame131 for rotatably supporting this rotary plate 130. It should beunderstood that since the lengths of the above-explained arc-shaped arms120 and 122 are selected to be longer than, or equal to 1 meter, andshorter than, or equal to 2 meters, this medical X-ray apparatus mayaccept the entire portion of this object under examination.

Since transport apparatus for slide-transporting the X-ray tube 2 andthe X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 over the respective arc-shapedarms are the same as those of the embodiment mode 1 shown in FIG. 2A andFIG. 2B, explanations thereof are omitted.

In accordance with this embodiment mode 3, while an object 201 underexamination is set on a table 202 with having a proper attitudecorresponding to a diagnostic purpose and a curing purpose, this table202 is arranged on the horizontal axial line of the iso-center “Z.”Then, both an X-ray fluoroscopic image and a cone-beam CT image areproduced. While observing these images, an operator may perform adiagnostic treatment and a curing operation.

In accordance with this embodiment mode 3, in addition to a similareffect to that achieved by the above-explained embodiment mode 1, sincethe length of the arms 120 and 122 are made in correspondence with theheight of the object under examination, there is such an effect thatwhile the object under examination is not moved, both the X-rayfluoroscopic image and the cone-beam CT image can be produced.

FIG. 8 is a structural diagram for representing a medical X-rayapparatus according to an embodiment mode 4 of the present invention.

The medical X-ray apparatus, according to this embodiment mode 4 of thepresent invention, is arranged by that the opening portion of theembodiment mode 4 shown in FIG. 4, into which the object underexamination is inserted, is omitted from the medical X-ray apparatus ofthe embodiment mode 2.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 140 indicates a straight-line shaped arm.The straight-line shaped arm 140 supports an X-ray tube 2 forirradiating an X-ray to an object 201 under medical examination. TheX-ray tube 2 is arranged in such a manner that this X-ray tube 2 may betransported by a straight-line guide unit 141 over the arm 140 in alinear manner.

Reference numeral 142 shows a straight-line shaped arm fixed on therotary plate 130. The straight-line shaped arm 142 supports an X-rayimage receiving apparatus 5. The X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 isarranged at a position opposite to the X-ray tube 2 with sandwiching theobject under examination, and detects an X-ray which is penetratedthrough the object under examination so as to convert the detected X-rayinto an electric signal. The X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 isarranged in such a manner that this X-ray image receiving apparatus 5may be transported by a straight-line guide unit 142 over the arm 142 ina linear manner. The above-described X-ray apparatus 5 is constructed ofboth an image intensifier and a television camera, or both the imageintensifier and a CCD (charge-coupled device) camera. Alternatively, aflat panel type two-dimensional sensor using a semiconductor detectormay employed as the X-ray image receiving apparatus.

Since supporting of the rotary plate 130 and rotation-driving of thisrotary plate 130 are the same as those of the above-explained embodimentmode 3 shown in FIG. 7, descriptions of this construction are omitted.Since such a construction is employed, both the arm 140 and the arm 142which are fixed on the rotary plate 131 can be rotated around such anaxial line horizontally located with respect to the body axis containingthe iso-center “Z”, so that the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 andthe X-ray tube 2 can be rotated while being located opposite to eachother.

As previously described, in this embodiment mode 4 of the presentinvention, the opening portions into which the object under examinationis not provided with the rotary plate 130 and also the supporting frame131 for rotatably supporting this rotary plate 130. It should beunderstood that since the lengths of the above-explained straight-lineshaped arms 140 and 142 are selected to be longer than, or equal to 1meter, and shorter than, or equal to 2 meters, this medical X-rayapparatus may accept the entire portion of this object underexamination.

Since transport apparatus for slide-transporting the X-ray tube 2 andthe X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 over the respective straight-lineshaped arms are the same as those of the embodiment mode 2 shown in FIG.5A and FIG. 5B, explanations thereof are omitted.

Also, in accordance with this embodiment mode 4, while an object 201under examination is set on a table 202 with having a proper attitudecorresponding to a diagnostic purpose and a curing purpose, this table202 is arranged on the horizontal axial line of the iso-center “Z.”Then, both an X-ray fluoroscopic image and a cone-beam CT image areproduced. While observing these images, an operator may perform adiagnostic treatment and a curing operation.

In accordance with this embodiment mode 4, in addition to a similareffect to that achieved by the above-explained embodiment mode 2, sincethe length of the arms 140 and 142 are made in correspondence with theheight of the object under examination, there is such an effect thatwhile the object under examination is not moved, both the X-rayfluoroscopic image and the cone-beam CT image can be produced.

In the above-described embodiment modes 1 to 4, both the rotary plateand the object under examination are brought into the stationaryconditions, and both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receivingapparatus 5 are mutually transported along the reverse directions, whilethe opposite positional relationship between the X-ray tube 2 and theX-ray image receiving apparatus 5 is maintained, during which the objectunder examination is photographed. As a result, the tomographic imagingoperation of the plane which is located in parallel to the body axis ofthe object under examination can be carried.

As this tomographic imaging operation, there are two methods, namely amethod (Tomography) in which both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 are moved in an arc manner in a symmetric mode,while the iso-center “Z” is used as a fulcrum; and also, another method(Planigraphy) in which both the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 are moved in a linear fashion in a symmetricalmanner, while the iso-center “Z” is employed as a fulcrum (“MEDICALIMAGE/RADIOGRAM APPLIANCE HANDBOOK” issued on Mar. 10, 1988, on page110, FIG. 2.12-2, Denshi Keisoku Publisher, edited by Japanese RadiogramAppliance Industrial Group). In the embodiment modes 1 to 4 of thepresent invention, the above-explained tomographic imaging operationsmay be carried out.

Subsequently, a description will now be made of such a case that thistemographic imaging operaiton is carried out.

(1) A method (Tomography) in which both X-ray tube 2 and X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 are moved in an arc manner, while the iso-center“Z” is employed as a fulcrum:

This method may be carried out in the embodiment modes of FIG. 1 andFIG. 7.

In these embodiment modes, while an imaging portion is focused onto theiso-center “Z”, the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus5 are arranged opposite to each other along reverse directions. Forinstance, the X-ray tube 2 is arranged on a right end whereas the X-rayimage receiving apparatus 5 is arranged on a left end. While the X-raytube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are mutually slid alongthe reverse directions with maintaining the opposite positionalrelationship between them, the tomographic imaging operation is carriedout. As a result, an output of the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 isprocessed by the image processing apparatus 50, so that a tomographicimage of a plane which is located in parallel to the body axis of theobject under examination may be acquired.

(2) A method (planigraphy) in which both X-ray tube 2 and X-ray imagereceiving apparatus 5 are linearly moved in a symmetric manner, whilethe isocenter “Z” is employed as a fulcrum:

This method may be carried out in the embodiment modes of FIG. 2 andFIG. 8.

In these embodiment modes, while an imaging portion is focused onto theiso-center “Z”, the X-ray tube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus5 are arranged opposite to each other along reverse directions. Forinstance, the X-ray tube 2 is arranged on a right end whereas the X-rayimage receiving apparatus 5 is arranged on a left end. While the X-raytube 2 and the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 are mutually slid alongthe reverse directions with maintaining the opposite positionalrelationship between them, the tomographic imaging operation is carriedout. As a result, an output of the X-ray image receiving apparatus 5 isprocessed by the image processing apparatus 50, so that a planigraphicimage of a plane which is located in parallel to the body axis of theobject under examination may be acquired.

As previously explained, in the embodiment mode 5, since the tomographicimage of such a plane which is located in parallel to the body axis ofthe object under examination may be obtained, both the positionalinformation and the shape information as to the portion which should bediagnosed and cured may become rich in combination with theabove-explained X-ray fluoroscopic image and cone-beam CT image, whichcould contribute improvements in operabilities of the diagnosticoperations and also the curing operations.

It should also be noted that in the above-explained embodiment mode 1 to4, both the rotary plate and the supporting frame for supporting thisrotary plate are fixed, to which the present invention is not limited.Alternatively, while such apparatus capable of transporting the rotaryplate and the supporting frame are provided with these rotary plate andsupporting frame, the object under examination is fixed, and further,both the rotary plate and the supporting frame may be transported so asto carry out imaging operations.

It should also be understood that the present invention is not limitedto the above-described respective embodiments, but may cover variousmodification examples defined by the claims for a patent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical X-ray apparatus comprising: asupporting frame; a rotary member rotatably supported by said supportingframe; a rotation control apparatus for controlling a rotation of saidrotary member; a first supporting member supported by said rotarymember, for supporting an X-ray tube apparatus which irradiates an X-rayto an object under examination; a second supporting member forsupporting a detection apparatus for detecting a transmission X-ray ofsaid object under examination, said second supporting member beingsupported by said rotary member and being arranged opposite to saidX-ray tube apparatus; a control apparatus for setting an irradiationangle of said X-ray substantially along a body axial direction of saidobject under examination to an arbitrary irradiation angle, and also forarranging said detection apparatus to axially oppose said X-ray tubeapparatus in correspondence with said set arbitrary irradiation angle;an image processing apparatus for processing an output signal from saiddetection apparatus so as to produce both a two-dimensional image and athree-dimensional image; and a display apparatus for displaying theimage produced by said image processing apparatus.
 2. A medical X-rayapparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said supporting frame owns anopening portion used to insert a table for mounting thereon said objectunder examination along a horizontal direction; and said rotating memberis rotated around said opening portion.
 3. A medical X-ray apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 wherein: said control apparatus is comprised of: afirst transporting apparatus for transporting said X-ray tube apparatusto an arbitrary position on said first supporting member; and a secondtransporting apparatus for transporting said detection apparatus to anarbitrary position on said second supporting member.
 4. A medical X-rayapparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein: said control apparatus isfurther comprised of: an irradiation angle control apparatus for settingthe irradiation angle of said X-ray tube apparatus to an arbitraryirradiation angle; and a detection apparatus angle control apparatus forcontrolling that the angle of said detection apparatus is locatedopposite to said X-ray tube apparatus in response to said setirradiation angle.
 5. A medical X-ray apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein: said medical X-ray apparatus is comprised of said first andsecond supporting members which are formed in an arc shape.
 6. A medicalX-ray apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said medical X-rayapparatus is comprised of said first and second supporting members whichare formed in a straight-line shape.
 7. A medical X-ray apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said image processing apparatus comprises afirst image processing apparatus for reconstructing a tomographic imagefrom said output signal from said detection apparatus, said outputsignal being obtained by irradiating an X-ray to said object underexamination while said X-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatusare rotated around said object under examination by rotating said rotarymember.
 8. A medical X-ray apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein saidX-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatus are inclined withrespect to a body axis of said object under examination.
 9. A medicalX-ray apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said X-ray tube apparatusand said detection apparatus are arranged so that perpendicular focalplanes extending from said X-ray tube apparatus and said detectionapparatus are substantially co-axially aligned with one anothersubstantially along said arbitrary irradiation angle.
 10. A medicalX-ray apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said rotary member isrotated while said X-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatus arerespectively slid along said first and second supporting members undercondition that said X-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatus tomaintain an opposite positional relationship.
 11. A medical X-rayapparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said rotary member is rotatedwhile a table on which said object under examination is lying is movedin said body axial direction.
 12. A medical X-ray apparatus as claimedin claim 1, wherein said image processing apparatus comprises a secondimage processing apparatus for executing an image processing to X-raydata obtained in an X-ray fluoroscopic operation.
 13. A medical X-rayapparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said image processingapparatus comprises a switching device for switching said first andsecond image processing apparatuses.
 14. A medical X-ray apparatus asclaimed in claim 12, wherein said X-ray fluoroscopic operation isexecuted while a table on which said object under examination is lyingis moved in said body axial direction.
 15. A medical X-ray apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said image processing apparatus comprises afirst image processing apparatus for reconstructing a tomographic imagefrom said output signal from said detection apparatus, said outputsignal being obtained by irradiating an X-ray to said object underexamination while said X-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatusare rotated around said object under examination by rotating said rotarymember, and said image processing apparatus comprises a second imageprocessing apparatus for executing an image processing to X-ray dataobtained in an X-ray fluoroscopic operation.
 16. A medical X-rayapparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said image processingapparatus comprises a switching device for switching said first andsecond image processing apparatuses.
 17. A medical X-ray apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said X-ray tube apparatus and said detectionapparatus are arranged so that perpendicular focal planes extending fromsaid X-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatus are substantiallyco-axially aligned with one another substantially along said arbitraryirradiation angle.
 18. A medical X-ray apparatus comprising: asupporting frame; a rotary member rotatably supported by said supportingframe; a rotation control apparatus for controlling a rotation of saidrotary member; a first supporting member supported by said rotarymember, for supporting an X-ray tube apparatus which irradiates an X-rayto an object under examination; a second supporting member forsupporting a detection apparatus for detecting a transmission X-ray ofsaid object under examination, said second supporting member beingsupported by said rotary member and being arranged opposite to saidX-ray tube apparatus; an X-ray tube apparatus transporting apparatus fortransporting said X-ray tube apparatus to an arbitrary position on saidfirst supporting member; a detection apparatus transporting apparatusfor transporting said detection apparatus to an arbitrary position onsaid second supporting member; a control apparatus for setting anirradiation angle of an X-ray substantially along a body axial directionof said object under examination to an arbitrary irradiation angle, andalso for arranging said detection apparatus to axially oppose said X-raytube apparatus in correspondence with said set arbitrary irradiationangle; an image processing apparatus for processing an output signalfrom said detection apparatus so as to produce both a two-dimensionalimage and a three-dimensional image; and a display apparatus fordisplaying the image produced by said image processing apparatus.
 19. Amedical X-ray apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said X-ray tubeapparatus and said detection apparatus are arranged so thatperpendicular focal planes extending from said X-ray tube apparatus andsaid detection apparatus are substantially co-axially aligned with oneanother substantially along said arbitrary irradiation angle.
 20. Amedical X-ray apparatus comprising: a supporting frame; a rotary memberrotatably supported by said supporting frame; a rotation controlapparatus for controlling a rotation of said rotary member; a firstsupporting member whose one end is supported at a first position of saidrotary member, and which is elongated along a body axial direction of anobject under examination; an X-ray tube apparatus movably supported onsaid first supporting member, for irradiating an X-ray to said objectunder examination; a second supporting member whose one end is supportedat a second position of said rotary member, and which is elongated alongthe body axial direction of said object under examination; a detectionapparatus movably supported on said second supporting member, fordetecting an X-ray penetrated through said object under examination,which is arranged opposite to said X-ray tube apparatus whilesandwiching said object under examination; a control apparatus forsetting an irradiation angle of an X-ray substantially along said bodyaxial direction of said object under examination to an arbitraryirradiation angle, and also for arranging said detection apparatus toaxially oppose said X-ray tube apparatus in correspondence with saidarbitrary irradiation angle set; an image processing apparatus forprocessing an output signal from said detection apparatus so as toproduce both a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image; anda display apparatus for displaying the image produced by said imageprocessing apparatus.
 21. A medical X-ray apparatus as claimed in claim20, wherein said X-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatus arearranged so that perpendicular focal planes extending from said X-raytube apparatus and said detection apparatus are substantially co-axiallyaligned with one another substantially along said arbitrary irradiationangle.
 22. A medical X-ray apparatus comprising: a supporting framehaving an opening portion used to insert a table for mounting an objectunder examination thereon along a horizontal direction; a rotary memberrotatably supported by said supporting frame, said rotary member beingable to rotate around said opening portion; a rotation control apparatusfor controlling a rotation of said rotary member; a first arc-shapedsupporting member whose one end is supported at a first position of saidrotary member, and which is elongated along a body axial direction of anobject under examination; an X-ray tube apparatus movably supported onsaid first arc-shaped supporting member, for irradiating an X-ray tosaid object under examination; a second arc-shaped supporting memberwhose one end is supported at a second position of said rotary member,and which is elongated along the body axial direction of said objectunder examination; a detection apparatus movably supported on saidsecond arc-shaped supporting member for detecting an X-ray penetratedthrough said object under examination, which is arranged opposite tosaid X-ray tube apparatus while sandwiching said object underexamination; an X-ray tube transporting apparatus for transporting saidX-ray tube apparatus to an arbitrary position on said first arc-shapedsupporting member; a detection transporting apparatus for transportingsaid detection apparatus to an arbitrary position on said secondarc-shaped supporting member; a control apparatus for setting anirradiation angle of an X-ray substantially along said body axialdirection of said object under examination to an arbitrary irradiationangle, and also for arranging said detection apparatus to axially opposesaid X-ray tube apparatus in correspondence with said arbitraryirradiation angle; a first image processing apparatus for producing athree-dimensional image from a first output signal from said detectionapparatus, said first output signal being obtained by irradiating anX-ray to said object in a first case that said rotary member is rotatedunder condition that said X-ray tube apparatus and said detectionapparatus maintain an axially opposing positional relationship and/orsaid X-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatus are respectivelyslid along said first and second arc-shaped supporting members undercondition that said X-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatusmaintain an axially opposing positional relationship or in a second casethat said rotary member is rotated under condition that said X-ray tubeapparatus and said detection apparatus maintain an axially opposingpositional relationship while said table is moved in said body axialdirection; a second image processing apparatus for producing atwo-dimensional image from a second output signal from said detectionapparatus, said second output signal being obtained by irradiating anX-ray to said object under examination in an X-ray fluoroscopicoperation; and a display apparatus for displaying the image produced bysaid image processing apparatus.
 23. A medical X-ray apparatus asclaimed in claim 22, wherein said X-ray tube apparatus and saiddetection apparatus are arranged so that perpendicular focal planesextending from said X-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatusare substantially co-axially aligned with one another substantiallyalong said arbitrary irradiation angle.
 24. A medical X-ray apparatuscomprising: a supporting frame having an opening portion used to inserta table for mounting an object under examination thereon along ahorizontal direction; a rotary member rotatably supported by saidsupporting frame, said rotary member being able to rotate around saidopening portion; a rotation control apparatus for controlling a rotationof said rotary member; a first supporting member whose one end issupported at a first position of said rotary member, and which iselongated along a body axial direction of an object under examination;an X-ray tube apparatus movably supported on said first supportingmember, for irradiating an X-ray to said object under examination; asecond supporting member whose one end is supported at a second positionof said rotary member, and which is elongated along the body axialdirection of said object under examination; a detection apparatusmovably supported on said second supporting member, for detecting anX-ray penetrated through said object under examination, which isarranged opposite to said X-ray tube apparatus while sandwiching saidobject under examination; an X-ray tube transporting apparatus fortransporting said X-ray tube apparatus to an arbitrary position on saidfirst supporting member; a detection transporting apparatus fortransporting said detection apparatus to an arbitrary position on saidsecond supporting member; an X-ray radiation direction control apparatusfor controlling an angle of said X-ray tube apparatus with respect tosaid body axial direction; an X-ray image receiving direction apparatusfor controlling an angle of said detection apparatus with respect tosaid body axial direction; a control apparatus for setting anirradiation angle of an X-ray substantially along said body axialdirection of said object under examination to an arbitrary irradiationangle by controlling said X-ray radiation direction control apparatus,and also for arranging said detection apparatus to axially oppose saidX-ray tube apparatus in correspondence with said arbitrary irradiationangle set by controlling said X-ray image receiving direction apparatus;a first image processing apparatus for producing a three-dimensionalimage from a first output signal from said detection apparatus, saidfirst output signal being obtained by irradiating an X-ray to saidobject in a first case that said rotary member is rotated undercondition that said X-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatusmaintain an axially opposing positional relationship and/or said X-raytube apparatus and said detection apparatus are respectively slid alongsaid first and second supporting members under condition that said X-raytube apparatus and said detection apparatus maintain an axially opposingpositional relationship or in a second case that said rotary member isrotated under condition that said X-ray tube apparatus and saiddetection apparatus maintain an axially opposing positional relationshipwhile said table is moved in said body axial direction; a second imageprocessing apparatus for producing a two-dimensional image from a secondoutput signal from said detection apparatus, said second output signalbeing obtained by irradiating an X-ray to said object under examinationin an X-ray fluoroscopic operation; and a display apparatus fordisplaying the image produced by said image processing apparatus.
 25. Amedical X-ray apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein said X-ray tubeapparatus and said detection apparatus are arranged so thatperpendicular focal planes extending from said X-ray tube apparatus andsaid detection apparatus are substantially co-axially aligned with oneanother substantially along said arbitrary irradiation angle.
 26. Amedical X-ray apparatus comprising: a supporting frame; a rotary memberrotatably supported by said supporting frame; a rotation controlapparatus for controlling a rotation of said rotary member; a firstarc-shaped supporting member whose one end is supported at a firstposition of said rotary member, and which is elongated along a bodyaxial direction of an object under examination; an X-ray tube apparatusmovably supported on said first arc-shaped supporting member, forirradiating an X-ray to said object under examination; a secondarc-shaped supporting member whose one end is supported at a secondposition of said rotary member, and which is elongated along the bodyaxial direction of said object under examination; a detection apparatusmovably supported on said second arc-shaped supporting member, fordetecting an X-ray penetrated through said object under examination,which is arranged opposite to said X-ray tube apparatus whilesandwiching said object under examination; an X-ray tube transportingapparatus for transporting said X-ray tube apparatus to an arbitraryposition on said first arc-shaped supporting member within a curvatureplane where an iso-center is located as a center of said firstarc-shaped supporting member; a detection transporting apparatus fortransporting said detection apparatus to an arbitrary position on saidsecond arc-shaped supporting member within a curvature plane where aniso-center is located as a center of said second arc-shaped supportingmember; a control apparatus for setting an irradiation angle of an X-raysubstantially body axial direction of said object under examination toan arbitrary irradiation angle, and also for arranging said detectionapparatus to axially oppose said X-ray tube apparatus in correspondencewith said arbitrary irradiation angle set; a first image processingapparatus for producing a three-dimensional image from a first outputsignal from said detection apparatus, said first output signal beingobtained by irradiating an X-ray to said object under examination in acase that said rotary member is rotated under condition that said X-raytube apparatus and said detection apparatus maintain an axially opposingpositional relationship and/or said X-ray tube apparatus and saiddetection apparatus are respectively slid along said first and secondsupporting members under condition that said X-ray tube apparatus andsaid detection apparatus maintain an axially opposing positionalrelationship; a second image processing apparatus for producing atwo-dimensional image from a second output signal from said detectionapparatus, said second output signal being obtained by irradiating anX-ray to said object under examination in an X-ray fluoroscopicoperation; and a display apparatus for displaying the image produced bysaid image processing apparatus.
 27. A medical X-ray apparatus accordingto claim 26, wherein each of said first and second arc-shaped supportingmembers has a length enough to accept an entire portion of said objectunder examination.
 28. A medical X-ray apparatus as claimed in claim 26,wherein said X-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatus arearranged so that perpendicular focal planes extending from said X-raytube apparatus and said detection apparatus are substantially co-axiallyaligned with one another substantially along said arbitrary irradiationangle.
 29. A medical X-ray apparatus comprising: a supporting frame; arotary member rotatably supported by said supporting frame; a rotationcontrol apparatus for controlling a rotation of said rotary member; afirst supporting member whose one end is supported at a first positionof said rotary member, and which is elongated along a body axialdirection of an object under examination; an X-ray tube apparatusmovably supported on said first supporting member, for irradiating anX-ray to said object under examination; a second supporting member whoseone end is supported at a second position of said rotary member, andwhich is elongated along the body axial direction of said object underexamination; a detection apparatus movably supported on said secondsupporting member, for detecting an X-ray penetrated through said objectunder examination, which is arranged opposite to said X-ray tubeapparatus while sandwiching said object under examination; an X-ray tubetransporting apparatus for transporting said X-ray tube apparatus to anarbitrary position on said first supporting member; a detectiontransporting apparatus for transporting said detection apparatus to anarbitrary position on said second supporting member; an X-ray radiationdirection control apparatus for controlling an angle of said X-ray tubeapparatus with respect to said body axial direction; an X-ray imagereceiving direction apparatus for controlling an angle of said detectionapparatus with respect to said body axial direction; a control apparatusfor setting an irradiation angle of an X-ray substantially said bodyaxial direction of said object under examination to an arbitraryirradiation angle by controlling said X-ray radiation direction controlapparatus, and also for arranging said detection apparatus to axiallyoppose said X-ray tube apparatus in correspondence with said arbitraryirradiation angle set by controlling said X-ray image receivingdirection apparatus; a first image processing apparatus for producing athree-dimensional image from a first output signal from said detectionapparatus, said first output signal being obtained by irradiating anX-ray to said object under examination in a case that said rotary memberis rotated under condition that said X-ray tube apparatus and saiddetection apparatus maintain an axially opposing positional relationshipand/or said X-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatus arerespectively slid along said first and second supporting members undercondition that said X-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatusmaintain an axially opposing positional relationship; a second imageprocessing apparatus for producing a two-dimensional image from a secondoutput signal from said detection apparatus, said second output signalbeing obtained by irradiating an X-ray to said object under examinationin an X-ray fluoroscopic operation; and a display apparatus fordisplaying the image produced by said image processing apparatus.
 30. Amedical X-ray apparatus according to claim 29, wherein each of saidfirst and second supporting members has a length enough to accept anentire portion of said object under examination.
 31. A medical X-rayapparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein said X-ray tube apparatus andsaid detection apparatus are arranged so that perpendicular focal planesextending from said X-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatusare substantially co-axially aligned with one another substantiallyalong said arbitrary irradiation angle.
 32. A method of obtaining atomographic image using a medical X-ray apparatus comprising: asupporting frame; a rotary member rotatably supported by said supportingframe; a rotation control apparatus for controlling a rotation of saidrotary member; a first arc-shaped supporting member whose one end issupported at a first position of said rotary member, and which iselongated along a body axial direction of an object under examination;an X-ray tube apparatus movably supported on said first arc-shapedsupporting member, for irradiating an X-ray to said object underexamination; a second arc-shaped supporting member whose one end issupported at a second position of said rotary member, and which iselongated along the body axial direction of said object underexamination; a detection apparatus movably supported on said secondarc-shaped supporting member, for detecting an X-ray penetrated throughsaid object under examination, which is arranged opposite to said X-raytube apparatus while sandwiching said object under examination; an X-raytube transporting apparatus for transporting said X-ray tube apparatusto an arbitrary position on said first arc-shaped supporting memberwithin a curvature plane where an iso-center is located as a center ofsaid first arc-shaped supporting member; a detection transportingapparatus for transporting said detection apparatus to an arbitraryposition on said second arc-shaped supporting member within a curvatureplane where an iso-center is located as a center of said secondarc-shaped supporting member; a control apparatus for setting anirradiation angle of an X-ray substantially said body axial direction ofsaid object under examination to an arbitrary irradiation angle, andalso for arranging said detection apparatus to axially oppose said X-raytube apparatus in correspondence with said arbitrary irradiation angleset; an image processing apparatus for processing an output signal fromsaid detection apparatus so as to produce a two-dimensional image and athree-dimensional image; and a display apparatus for displaying theimage produced by said image processing apparatus, said methodcomprising the steps of: setting a portion to be imaged at saidiso-center; arranging said detection apparatus to axially oppose saidX-ray tube apparatus in correspondence with said arbitrary angle set;irradiating an X-ray to said object under examination while said X-raytube apparatus and said X-ray image receiving apparatus are mutuallyslid along reverse directions in an arc manner, wherein the iso-centeris employed as a fulcrum; and obtaining a tomographic image of a planewhich is located in parallel to a body axis of said object underexamination.
 33. The method as claimed in claim 32, wherein said X-raytube apparatus and said detection apparatus are arranged so thatperpendicular focal planes extending from said X-ray tube apparatus andsaid detection apparatus are substantially co-axially aligned with oneanother substantially along said arbitrary irradiation angle.
 34. Amethod of obtaining a tomographic image using a medical X-ray apparatuscomprising: a supporting frame; a rotary member rotatably supported bysaid supporting frame; a rotation control apparatus for controlling arotation of said rotary member; a first supporting member whose one endis supported at a first position of said rotary member, and which iselongated along a body axial direction of an object under examination;an X-ray tube apparatus movably supported on said first supportingmember, for irradiating an X-ray to said object under examination; asecond supporting member whose one end is supported at a second positionof said rotary member, and which is elongated along the body axialdirection of said object under examination; a detection apparatusmovably supported on said second supporting member, for detecting anX-ray penetrated through said object under examination, which isarranged opposite to said X-ray tube apparatus while sandwiching saidobject under examination; an X-ray tube transporting apparatus fortransporting said X-ray tube apparatus to an arbitrary position on saidfirst supporting member; a detection transporting apparatus fortransporting said detection apparatus to an arbitrary position on saidsecond supporting member; an X-ray radiation direction control apparatusfor controlling an angle of said X-ray tube apparatus with respect tosaid body axial direction; an X-ray image receiving direction apparatusfor controlling an angle of said detection apparatus substantially alongsaid body axial direction; a control apparatus for setting anirradiation angle of an X-ray with respect to said body axial directionof said object under examination to an arbitrary irradiation angle bycontrolling said X-ray radiation direction control apparatus, and alsofor arranging said detection apparatus to axially oppose said X-ray tubeapparatus in correspondence with said arbitrary irradiation angle set bycontrolling said X-ray image receiving direction apparatus; an imageprocessing apparatus for processing an output signal from said detectionapparatus so as to produce a two-dimensional image and athree-dimensional image; and a display apparatus for displaying theimage produced by said image processing apparatus, said methodcomprising the steps of: setting a portion to be imaged at aniso-center; arranging said detection apparatus to axially oppose saidX-ray tube apparatus in correspondence with said arbitrary angle set;irradiating an X-ray to said object under examination while said X-raytube apparatus and said X-ray image receiving apparatus are mutuallyslid along reverse directions in a linear fashion, wherein theiso-center is employed as a fulcrum; and obtaining a tomographic imageof a plane which is located in parallel to a body axis of said objectunder examination.
 35. The method as claimed in claim 34, wherein saidX-ray tube apparatus and said detection apparatus are arranged so thatperpendicular focal planes extending from said X-ray tube apparatus andsaid detection apparatus are substantially co-axially aligned with oneanother substantially along said arbitrary irradiation angle.